Thermometer carrying case



1963 e. R. GARDIIQER 3,100,044

THERMOMETER CARRYING CASE Filed March 29. 1961 Fig.1.

IN V EN TOR- George R.. Gardner his ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,1tltl,tl44 THERMOMETER CARRYHNG CASE George R. Gardner, Pittsburgh, Pa, assignor to Bacliarach Industrial Instrument Company, Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 29, 1%1, Ser. No. 9,111 1 Claim. (Cl. 2ns 1s.s

The present invention relates to improvements in thermometer carrying cases suitable for use by persons employed in the erection and maintenance of mechanisms Where temperature readings are of material importance in the functioning of said mechanisms, such as in refrigeration and air conditioning. Such thermometer cases are customarily carried in the breast pocket of a jacket or shirt and are subject to being dislodged therefrom and falling to the floor causing breakage of the thermometer. Frequently the case is removed from the pocket for use and may not be returned to the pocket but is laid aside and may thereafter be accidently dislodged so as to fall to the floor to the damage of the thermometer.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a case which will provide a maximum of protection for the thermometer consistent with the case being conveniently stored upon the person of the user.

This and other objects of the invention will be made apparent from the following description and the drawing froming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the case, with the end portions of the case shown in full;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation, partly in cross-section, of the top cap for the ease;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of the bottom cap of the case;

FIG. 4 shows a full cross-section through the top cap taken on lines IV'IV of FIG. 2 of the drawing; and

FIG. 5 shows a full cross-section through the case taken on lines V-V of FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing where like reference characters refer to like parts, the case 1 comprises a rigid body or sheath 2, top cap 3 and end cap 4. Preferably the sheath and caps are of generally elliptical shape to prevent rolling when placed upon a surface.

The sheath 2, may be made of any suitable material, preferably an aluminum extrusion for light weight and economy of manufacture. The outer surface of the case is preferably anodized in any suitable color. The sheath is hollow and is provided with an interior lining of suitable protective material, such as felt. Such lining is indicated at '5 on FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawing. The thermometer to be received in said sheath may be of any suitable shape, preferably as indicated in 'FIG. 5 as having a raised magnifying central portion 6, side wings 7 and generally oval bottom portion 8. Such a thermometer is presently commercially available. Such thermometer is customarily provided with a conventional mercury or spirit reservoir as at 9 and a head portion 10. The felt lining 5 is proportioned so as to embrace the major portion of the body of the thermometer as well as the mercury reservoir. A clip 20 is provided for attachment to the pocket of the user.

The rubber top cap 3 serves the dual function of positioning the thermometer within the case and providing a shock absorbing end on the case. The top cap 3, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises an elliptical tapering hollow end portion 11, elliptical straight portion 1? enlarged intermediate portion 13 and flattened end portion 14. Portion 14 preferably is provided with an aperture 15 for suspending the thermometer from a cord or other support for convenience in taking temperature readings in cramped spaces.

The end cap 4 of the sheath 1 comprises an elliptical 3,10%,644 Patented Aug. 6, 1963 "ice portion 16 for insertion into the sheath and an enlarged end portion 17. The end portion 17 preferably abuts the end of the sheath at 18 and has a rounded end 19'. The end cap 4 is of rubber and of relatively soft durometer to absorb shocks, should the thermometer case be dropped striking the end cap.

When assembling the case, the top end of the thermometer is inserted into the hollow end portion 11 of the cap 3. The inner surfaces 11a and 11b are preferably slightly smaller than the exterior dimensions of the thermometer to provide a snug fit. The thermometer is inserted into cap 3 until the end abuts the wall of the cap. The cap 3 and attached thermometer may then be inserted into the sheath 1 until the straight walled portion 12 is entirely within the sheath and the end of the sheath abuts the portion 13 at 12a. The portion 12 preferably has several tapering projections 12b spaced about its periphery in suring an engaging fit between the sheath and cap requiring a slight force to withdraw the cap and thermometer from the case. The end cap 4- may be inserted into the sheath before the thermometer is inserted. The portion 16 has a snug fit within the sheath and is inserted until the sheath end abuts the adjacent end portion '17.

As clearly indicated in FIG. 1, the felt lining 5 preferably terminates short of the inner ends of the top and bottom caps and embraces the thermometer providing a resilient support against shock.

When the thermometer is to be used, the top cap portions 13 and '14 provide a firm grip for the fingers in withdrawing the assembled cap and thermometer from the sheath. The presence of the top cap provides a convenient grip for handling the thermometer and the enlarged size of the cap makes it inconvenient to lay the thermometer aside after use. Therefore, the natural thing to do is to reinsert the thermometer and top cap into the sheath after each use.

Should the assembled sheath and thermometer be laid to one side, after use, instead of being returned to the jacket pocket of the user, the generally elliptical shape prevents rolling about upon any surface on which it may be placed.

Should the assembled sheath and thermometer accidentally fall from the pocket or be knocked from a surface upon which it has been placed, the thermometer has adequate protection against breakage. The top and bottom caps being of relatively soft rubber, normally will absorb any shock encountered. The top cap being in abutting engagement with the adjacent end of the sheath, no movement of the thermometer longitudinally of the case will occur, should the top cap strike the floor or ground. The bottom cap, upon striking the ground first will likewise absorb shock. This bottom cap is also prevented from further movement into the sheath as pre viously described.

Having described the invention in its presently preferred form, it will be understood that the exact details of construction are for purposes of illustration, not limitation, except as made necessary by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a shock protective industrial thermometer carrying case having a rigid hollow thermometer receiving sheath portion and resilient shock absorbing closures for each end thereof, a rubber-like thermometer receiving and handling member forming one of said end closures and comprising, an elliptical intermediate portion engaging and extending laterally of the adjacent end of the said sheath portion, an inner extension on said intermediate portion freely received within said sheath, tapering projections spaced about the periphery of said inner extension adjacent said intermediate portion providing a wedging fit within said sheath portion, said inner extension terminating in an inwardly tapering hollow portion having an internal dimension smaller than the outer diameter of an end of a thermometer to be inserted therein, and an outer extension on said elliptical intermediate portion having a pair of flattened opposite surfaces for ready suspension of the assembled member and thermometer in taking temperature readings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tagliabue Apr. 2, 1889 Wilhelm Feb. 23, 1926 McMillan Aug. 10, 1926 Stewart Jan. 18, 1927 Schneider Feb. 13, 1934 

